Electric Utility Glossary - Section G
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Galvani, Luigi (1737-1798) – Luigi Galvani was an Italian physician and researcher famous for identifying a relationship between electricity and the central nervous system of humans and animals. Galvani experimented with a dead frog to make the frog’s leg twitch under electrical current. This connection between electricity and biology made its way to another Italian scientist, Allesandro Volta. Volta was able to recreate Galvani’s experiment and it led to Volta eventually making the first battery. Galvani’s work highlighted that electricity can flow through the central nervous system of a human being and bio electric systems became the first conceptual understanding of what would become central electric utility systems.
Ganged Switch – A switch is which the “Ganged” refers to the three phases being electrically or mechanically tied together so that the 3 phases open at the same time.
Gas Turbine – A jet engine, bolted to footings, that uses its hot exhaust gas to spin an electric generator. Gas turbines are called combustion turbines in some electric utilities.
GIS – Geographic information system. A computer-based system used for the storing, retrieving and displaying information that is referenced to coordinates of the earth. It is used for inventory control, system design and outage management.
GIS – Gas insulated switchgear. Circuit breakers and/or switch assemblies that are filled with sulphur hexafluoride gas.
Governor – The electromechanical system used to regulate steam flow in a steam turbine-generator plant, to control water flow in a hydroelectric plant, or to control gas or oil flow into a gas turbine plant or into an internal combustion engine.
GOAB - An acronym for a Gang Operated Air Break switch. The “Gang” refers to the three phases being electrically or mechanically tied together so that the 3 phases open at the same time. The “Air Break” refers to a visible break in the air that allows crews to see that the switch is truly open.
GPS – An acronym for Global Positioning System. A satellite-based system that uses triangulation to precisely identify a location on the earth.
Grid – The transmission lines that connect generating plants to each other, that connect these generating plants to the towns and cities being served, and that connect neighboring utilities together.
Ground – An electrical connection between a metal structure or metal conductor, and ground. In some countries, it is called earth. Grounds are used for safety, for protective relaying and for lightning protection.
Grounding – Connecting a device or conductor to the ground with a conductor. In some countries it is called earthing.
Guy Wire – A wire or cable used to provide mechanical strength. It should not be carrying current.
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